A Place in Paradise (March 14, 2024)

“He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.” (Proverbs 28:13)

In a fallen world in which human nature has been corrupted by sin, we should thank God constantly for His abiding grace. Although many are in a state of denial, God’s Word says we are all sinners who have fallen short of His glory and, as a result, deserve to suffer the consequence of our transgressions, spiritual death. Thankfully, though, God is merciful and does not will that we get what we deserve. Instead, He has offered each of us what we do not deserve—His grace—when we turn away from our sins and come to Jesus Christ for forgiveness and salvation.

No sin, however despicable, is beyond the far reaches of God’s amazing grace. Only outright rejection of this unmerited favor offered by the LORD condemns the unbeliever to His wrathful judgment. Crucified between two criminals on a hill called Calvary, Jesus showed His mercy to the repentant thief who admitted his sinfulness and by faith recognized Christ as his Savior. “Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”” (Luke 23:42-43)

Have you humbled yourself to ask Jesus to remember you when He returns to gather the saints who’ve trustingly accepted His death on the cross as payment for their sins and joyfully received God’s grace and His gift of eternal life? As He did for the penitent thief, Jesus is preparing a place for every believer in the heavenly confines of “Paradise” where we’ll enjoy His peace and presence forever. He promises: “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)